Strangely enough, I had not seen "Sleepless" before hand, after viewing this movie I now consider it not only to be the best serial killer sub-genre horror film I have ever seen, but also my new favorite Dario Argento creation.
To start things off I have to mention the fact this film contains one of the best soundtrack's ever, by the notorious Goblin. The use of their music in key scenes is just as important as any line of dialog in this film when it comes to understanding what's going on, an art form that today is mostly lost. You feel each note, turning it into unadulterated fear and high tension, each stanza bringing you closer to an outcome that you can feel in your bones will be nothing short of petrifying.
My top three favorite horror sub-genres are as follows, the alien abduction, the haunting, and the serial killer sub-genre, by far this is the best example of the serial killer genre I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. The script can only be described as fine art that deserves to be cited and analyzed within the walls of film schools across the world. Dario Argento is a genius plain and simple, and takes you on a who done it journey that will leave you flabbergasted when all the pieces fall together, and the killer is revealed to all. "Sleepless" has just enough plot twists in just the right places to keep your attention at all times, never does it feel like the film is killing time, or that it was wrapped up suddenly with a bad tacked on ending like many of today's films. Also I really enjoyed the use of the nursery rhyme it really added to creepy factor, and as a writer made the killer that much more interesting to me.
The special FX as always in a Dario Argento film are ultra gritty and intensely graphic, gore hounds will not be let down by "Sleepless" all though its story is more crime / drama / thriller than horror, the kills are nothing less than pure splatter in its purest and rawest form. "Sleepless" features some of the most aggressive kills, I have ever seen in a movie of its kind, there were many times where I had to scream "holy shit" out loud during various kill scenes.
Dario Argento was always a inspiration to me do to him being very Hitchcock like, but unlike Hitchcock he also has a real eye for creating some truly gory, stomach churning scenes of violence. All the studios out there today trying to make movies as shocking as possible but fail due going to over the top and unrealistic should take note of "Sleepless" and its very believable and jaw dropping gore, sometimes less is more.
Overall I loved this film, I found not one thing to complain about, which is very rare when you watch as many movies per week as I do. On behalf of The Liberal Dead and Dario Argento month I give "Sleepless" a well deserved 10 out of 10 and award for most brutal headshot ever in film, yes more impressive than "Maniac" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" remake.
10 / 10
- Ted "Ritualistic" Brown
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